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Meows come from all directions and little paws poke out between cage bars as one walks into the Cambria County Humane Society Cat Room.

Since its doors were opened in 1976, the shelter workers have accepted animals of all types and, starting last summer, it is a no-kill shelter. However, euthianization restrictions make overcrowding a possible problem at the shelter.

Unfortunately, humane society employees are facing that problem.

On Dec. 15, a city employee discovered 50 cats inside a home in Johnstown’s Coopersdale neighborhood after neighbors reported an odor coming from the house. The cats were living in poor conditions, and many were sick or malnourished.

Jessica Vamos, the shelter’s executive director, was given a short amount of time to prepare before the cats arrived.

“We were given a 24-hour warning before the cats came in,” said Vamos.

“Our biggest struggle was making sure we met the deadline of being ready when they came.”

The home the cats were found in was owned by a man in his 40s who did not interact with people well, so the cats had little contact with humans and did not receive much human affection, according to David Pundzak, cat room supervisor.

The building was condemned, Pundzak said.

The shelter, which usually holds 30 to 50 cats, was overwhelmed with almost 90.

“We were really only able to start getting up cages that morning (they came in).

“So we were scrambling to build cages and lay down newspaper, blankets and litter,” Vamos said.

Since being named a no-kill shelter, it means the animals require longer, more intensive care.